The Stuttgart Advertising and Promotion Commission approved two applications Thursday for a total of $5,000.

The Arts Center of the Grand Prairie will build a website thanks to the money available. Charles Law, director of the Arts Center of the Grand Prairie, was on hand at the regularly scheduled meeting to discuss the need for the website.

"We are asking for $2,000 in funding to go towards a web page dedicated for the arts center and festival of the arts (Grand Prairie Festival of the Arts). We are in our 57th year. Last year we totaled somewhere around 325 pieces of art," Law said.

The festival earned $13,000 after all expenses paid in 2012. This is a festival Law said he has seen grow with each passing year, bringing in both in-state and out-of-state contestants.

A brochure has been mailed to the growing mailing list in the past to spread the word on the festival, but because of modern times Law feels a website would help boost the growth. A portion of the requested money will go toward some continued costs to build brochures.

"This would enhance the city and reach a larger demographic," he said.

Currently the mailing list contains five states, but with the use of a website and having a more convenient way to accept entry forms along with creative writing entries, Law feels the festival would bring in a larger crowd.

"We will get more response," he said.

Once the website is up and fully functional he said the site will have links to other city highlights including the Grand Prairie Center, Stuttgart Chamber of Commerce and Museum of the Arkansas Grand Prairie.

"I am very supportive of the arts, I vote we except this," Stuttgart Advertising and Promotion Board member Jim Craig said.

The board approved the application unanimously.

Next on tap was a request from the Stuttgart Chamber of Commerce, Grand Prairie Center and the Museum of the Arkansas Grand Prairie asking for money to purchase two full page ads in Arkansas Delta Byways, a brochure created by the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism.

Stephen Bell, executive vice president of the Stuttgart Chamber of Commerce, said the three groups will coordinate their advertising. These brochures are in each welcome center when coming into the state and they are also made available at nearly every city's chamber of commerce.

"It is a way to promote Stuttgart," Bell said. "To show all the wonderful things we have going on in this city."

Along with the ads come what is called rack cards, which is the ad printed on one sheet of glossy paper that can be handed out individually.

The ads will focus on the Wings over of the Prairie Festival, German Heritage Festival and the performance series at the Grand Prairie Center.

Page 2 of 2 - Advertising and Promotion Commission member Donald Stephens made the motion to approve the request with the addition of asking for extra rack cards. The measure was approved unanimously.

The current balance for the Stuttgart Advertising and Promotion Commission sits at $29,457.22.